Pretty unbelievable that this would get through their vetting process, unless of course they thought it was edgy or shocking enough to sell more cars.

Either way the debate did nothing more than propagate the myth that climate change is somehow not happening or something we need to worry about.

I would expect this kind of thing from the likes of former tobacco company spindoctors like the Heartland Institute than I would a company trying to promote their hybrid car.

You would also think that a debate about a complicated scientific issue like climate change would involve actual scientists who do research in the field. Instead, Lexus chose to have a filmmaker, who’s last film was a propaganda piece paid for by a mining company and a journalist (who made the best of a silly situation).

And the filmmaker, Phelim McAleer, does a good job embarrassing himself but that is beside the point.

Whatever carbon emissions Lexus thinks it’s going to reduce with its new hybrid were probably equaled out by the hot air produced at this ridiculous debate over something the likes of NASA and the US Academy of Science say is a real problem and something that needs to be addressed.

Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.

There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.